警告

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jǐnggào: 警告 - Warning, Caution, Admonition

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 警告, jǐnggào, Chinese for warning, Chinese for caution, warn in Chinese, jǐnggào meaning, 警告 meaning, Chinese safety sign, Chinese legal warning, HSK 5, admonish in Chinese.
  • Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 警告 (jǐnggào), the essential Chinese word for “warning” or “caution.” This page explores how jǐnggào is used in formal, official, and serious contexts—from safety signs and legal notices to firm advice from a doctor or parent. Understand its cultural weight and learn how to distinguish it from a simple reminder to use it effectively and avoid common mistakes.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): jǐnggào
  • Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To warn or caution someone about a potential danger or negative consequence; a formal warning.
  • In a Nutshell: 警告 (jǐnggào) is not your everyday, casual “watch out!” It's a serious and often formal word that implies a significant negative outcome if ignored. Think of the word you'd see on a high-voltage box, hear from a judge in a courtroom, or receive from a teacher about the risk of failing a class. It carries a sense of authority and gravity.

Character Breakdown

  • 警 (jǐng): This character means “to be alert,” “to guard against,” or “to police.” It's composed of 敬 (jìng), which suggests alertness and respect, and 言 (yán), meaning “speech.” So, it's about “alerting speech.”
  • 告 (gào): This character means “to tell,” “to inform,” or “to announce.” Its ancient form depicted a mouth (口) and an ox horn, symbolizing a loud, public announcement.
  • Combined Meaning: When you put them together, 警告 (jǐnggào) literally means “to alertly tell” or “to announce an alert.” This perfectly captures the modern meaning of issuing a formal warning about a potential danger or problem.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, communication can often be hierarchical. A 警告 (jǐnggào) is typically issued from a position of authority, knowledge, or responsibility to someone in a lower or less informed position. This could be the government warning its citizens, a doctor warning a patient, or a parent warning a child.
  • Comparison with “Warning”: While “warning” in English can be very broad, 警告 (jǐnggào) is narrower and more formal. An American friend might “warn” you that a movie is bad, but using jǐnggào in that context would sound bizarre and overly dramatic. For a casual heads-up, a Chinese speaker would use 提醒 (tíxǐng - to remind). Using jǐnggào elevates the situation, signaling that the consequences are real and should be taken seriously. This reflects a cultural tendency to reserve such strong language for situations that truly warrant it, respecting the authority behind the warning.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Official and Public Notices: This is the most common use. You will see 警告 printed on signs near construction sites, high-voltage equipment, deep water, or on packaging for hazardous materials.
    • Example: 警告：高压危险！(Jǐnggào: Gāoyā wēixiǎn!) - Warning: High-Voltage Danger!
  • Legal and Formal Contexts: In law, a 警告 is an official admonition. An employer might issue a “written warning” (书面警告 shūmiàn jǐnggào) to an employee.
  • Authoritative Advice: Professionals use this term to convey the seriousness of their advice. A doctor might 警告 a patient to stop smoking, implying severe health consequences if they don't.
  • Personal but Serious Confrontations: It can be used directly between people to draw a hard line. Saying “我警告你…” (Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ…, “I'm warning you…”) is a very strong and confrontational statement, often used in anger as a final warning before taking action.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 牌子上写着“警告：水深危险”。
    • Pinyin: Páizi shàng xiězhe “jǐnggào: shuǐ shēn wēixiǎn”.
    • English: The sign says, “Warning: Deep water is dangerous.”
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of 警告 used as a noun on a public safety sign. It is impersonal, formal, and direct.
  • Example 2:
    • 医生警告他，如果再不戒烟，他的健康会出大问题。
    • Pinyin: Yīshēng jǐnggào tā, rúguǒ zài bù jièyān, tā de jiànkāng huì chū dà wèntí.
    • English: The doctor warned him that if he didn't quit smoking, his health would face serious problems.
    • Analysis: Here, 警告 is a verb used by a figure of authority (a doctor) to highlight severe consequences.
  • Example 3:
    • 我警告你，不要再碰我的东西！
    • Pinyin: Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ, bùyào zài pèng wǒ de dōngxi!
    • English: I'm warning you, don't touch my stuff again!
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the confrontational, personal use of 警告. It functions as a direct threat and indicates a high level of anger or frustration.
  • Example 4:
    • 由于他多次迟到，公司给了他一次书面警告。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú tā duōcì chídào, gōngsī gěile tā yīcì shūmiàn jǐnggào.
    • English: Because he was late many times, the company gave him a written warning.
    • Analysis: This shows 警告 used as a noun in a formal, workplace context. A “书面警告 (shūmiàn jǐnggào)” is an official disciplinary action.
  • Example 5:
    • 政府向沿海居民发出台风警告。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xiàng yánhǎi jūmín fāchū táifēng jǐnggào.
    • English: The government issued a typhoon warning to coastal residents.
    • Analysis: This highlights its use in official public announcements regarding natural disasters.
  • Example 6:
    • 妈妈警告孩子们不要和陌生人说话。
    • Pinyin: Māma jǐnggào háizimen bùyào hé mòshēngrén shuōhuà.
    • English: The mother warned the children not to talk to strangers.
    • Analysis: A common use within a family. The parent is the authority figure, and the potential danger is serious.
  • Example 7:
    • 电脑弹出了一个安全警告窗口。
    • Pinyin: Diànnǎo tánchūle yīgè ānquán jǐnggào chuāngkǒu.
    • English: The computer popped up a security warning window.
    • Analysis: In the digital world, 警告 refers to system alerts about potential risks like viruses or data loss.
  • Example 8:
    • 他的失败给我们所有人一个警告：骄傲使人落后。
    • Pinyin: Tā de shībài gěi wǒmen suǒyǒu rén yīgè jǐnggào: jiāo'ào shǐ rén luòhòu.
    • English: His failure served as a warning to all of us: pride comes before a fall.
    • Analysis: This is a figurative use of 警告, where an event or outcome acts as a “wake-up call” or a cautionary tale.
  • Example 9:
    • 裁判向那名球员出示了黄牌以示警告。
    • Pinyin: Cáipàn xiàng nà míng qiúyuán chūshìle huángpái yǐ shì jǐnggào.
    • English: The referee showed the player a yellow card as a warning.
    • Analysis: Used in sports to describe an official warning for breaking the rules.
  • Example 10:
    • 这次考试不及格是对我的一个警告，我必须更努力学习了。
    • Pinyin: Zhècì kǎoshì bù jígé shì duì wǒ de yīgè jǐnggào, wǒ bìxū gèng nǔlì xuéxí le.
    • English: Failing this exam was a warning to me; I have to study harder.
    • Analysis: Similar to the “cautionary tale” example, this shows a person interpreting a negative event as a personal 警告 to change their behavior.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `警告 (jǐnggào)` vs. `提醒 (tíxǐng)`: This is the most crucial distinction for learners.
    • 警告 (jǐnggào) is for serious situations with significant negative consequences. It's a warning.
    • 提醒 (tíxǐng) is for minor, everyday situations. It's a friendly reminder.
  • Incorrect Usage:
    • 我警告你，出门别忘了带钥匙。 (Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ, chūmén bié wàngle dài yàoshi.)
    • Why it's wrong: This translates to “I warn you, don't forget your keys when you go out.” Forgetting keys is inconvenient, not a grave danger. The tone is far too aggressive and strange.
    • Correct Usage: 我提醒你，出门别忘了带钥匙。 (Wǒ tíxǐng nǐ, chūmén bié wàngle dài yàoshi.) - “I'll remind you, don't forget your keys.”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 提醒 (tíxǐng) - To remind. The most common alternative for a gentle, friendly heads-up. It's the opposite of 警告 in terms of severity.
  • 注意 (zhùyì) - To pay attention. An instruction to be aware, often seen on signs, but more general than 警告. (e.g., “注意安全” - Pay attention to safety).
  • 小心 (xiǎoxīn) - To be careful; Be careful! A direct command to be cautious in the immediate moment.
  • 危险 (wēixiǎn) - Danger; Dangerous. The reason for a 警告. The two words often appear together.
  • 忠告 (zhōnggào) - Sincere advice; counsel. This is a type of warning given out of loyalty or care, often from a friend or mentor. It's more personal and less authoritative than 警告.
  • 告诫 (gàojiè) - To admonish; to warn against (especially moral failings). This is more formal and literary than 警告.
  • 威胁 (wēixié) - To threaten; a threat. While 警告 can be a threat (“I'm warning you!”), 威胁 is explicitly about the intent to cause harm if the demand is not met. It is more malicious.